By George Jones

A mixed-race woman who was branded "poodle" by bullies over her hair has said she's "glad" Mel B is pushing for afro discrimination to be illegal.

Hannah Beau, 25, said her curly locks have always been her "biggest insecurity" because she was bullied at school and is "visually white" but "has an afro". 

After 10 years of straightening her do, "to hide the curls", she would get upset and struggled to not "feel ugly" of her heat-damaged tresses. 

Four years ago, she recorded a video diary on TikTok, bravely opening up about her insecurities and asking for hair advice - hoping to get a few tips on good products. 

Overnight, the video garnered the support of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide - even celebrities - particularly black and mixed-race women. 

Since posting the video, over 10 million people have watched it - and she was inundated with support and encouragement. 

Spice Girls singer Mel B, 49, in support of World Afro Day (September 15), is urging UK law makers to update the Equality Act 2010 to make afro hair a protected characteristic.

Hannah said: "I've become the person I wish I were as a teenager.

"If I went back in time, I would rip the straighteners out of my hands.

"I wasn't living my authentic self and it caused so much damage"

Hannah, from Stockport, now an online content creator says she "embraces her hair", frequently posting curly hair tutorials, tips and tricks, but that "it wasn't easy".

"It really has been a journey of acceptance and re-learning the mindset I've been brought up with," she said.

"I went to school in a white area and noticed there weren't many people who looked like me. 

"There was probably a handful of people of colour and those who were mixed were even slimmer. 

"When you are the only person who has lighter skin and afro hair texture, it is very difficult to fit in. 

"It was all I wanted as a teenager.

"Kids would see me as a circus act - calling me 'poodle' and kept asking to touch my hair.

"They would treat me as an object. 

"When I eventually posted on TikTok during lockdown and asked for advice because my hair was so damaged, I was overwhelmed by people's responses and support.

"I realised I'm not alone, and so many other people relate to my story."

Celebrities such as Disney Channel star Skai Jackson, and former Love Island Star Amber Gill had reached out to Hannah in solidarity. 

Over the years, Hannah has "learned to love and care" for her hair.

She began to visit black-own salons to find hairdressers who catered for afro hairstyles - and ask them for advice. 

Hannah added: "I am who I am. 

"I don't need to tick a box of all white and all black. 

"I am in the middle. and even in the middle, we don't all look the same.

"It's taken two decades, but I've learnt to love that side of myself - and I say that your most natural self will always be the most beautiful." 

Mel B spoke out last week to say she was told to straighten her for the music video of Wannabe because her "big hair didn't fit the pop star mould". 

Mel B "stood her ground", and in a statement released on her Instagram, said: "I sang and danced as me, with my big hair, my brown skin and I was totally proud of who I was."

The pop star alongside Labour MP Paulette Hamilton, urging the government to end afro hair discrimination.

Hannah said Mel B's experience was "extremely relatable" and that she "knew exactly where she was coming from. 

She added: "The act would be incredible and progressive and will help against the more institutionalised forms of afro hair discrimination.

"It will be such a huge step in many different areas - especially in schools and hairdressers."

Hannah shares hair tips on TikTok @hannahbeauc